Yisroel Belsky

Who is Yisroel Belsky?

Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Belsky is a prominent rabbi in the United States and a world recognized posek, who has served with the Orthodox Union since 1987. He resides in Brooklyn, New York. He is one of the lead roshei yeshiva in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. He also serves as the rabbi of Camp Agudah, since the passing of the camp's former rabbi in 1967. Rav Belsky's first kashrus position was with the Kof-K. He is the son of Rabbi Berel and Chana Tzirel Belsky. His maternal grandfather is Binyomin Wilhelm, the founder of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Belsky received his semicha from Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, in Brooklyn, NY in 1962, and from Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in 1965. He also studied in Beth Medrash Elyon for a number of years, having been one of its most prominent students. Rav Belsky considers himself a student of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky.

According to the New York Times, he is a "prominent and influential Orthodox rabbi in Brooklyn", and he is one of "the chief experts for the Orthodox Union, which certifies more than 600,000 products as kosher."